HPE Family Newsletter

Click here to view a complete PDF version of the May 2023 HPE Family newsletter.

May 1, 2023

Dear Families, 

As the school year comes to an end, we are asking all families to continue to support their student/s in attending school regularly.  In order to ensure adequate growth for all students, we have a full schedule of academics planned and need students present every day.  Please review this newsletter carefully to stay up-to-date on the end-year events and schedules.

Oregon Statewide Assessments, Grades 3-6

Students in grades three through six will be finishing the Oregon Statewide Assessments (OSAS) the first week of May.  The OSAS scores are an important indicator of student progress in meeting grade-level benchmarks.  Oregon public schools test students in English language arts and math in grades 3 through 8 & 11 and science in grades 5, 8, & 11. Click here to view statewide assessment information on our website.  

District Campus Trail Project

All elementary (PreK-6) and some secondary students will participate in a bark chip distribution party on Friday, May 5, during the hours of 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  Adding wood chips to a portion of the campus trails will improve access to outdoor learning for all students.  Our business and community partners want to help kids connect with STEM in hands-on ways by bringing the campus trails back to life.  Our community and business partners include: West Rock (Longview,) NEXT Renewables, and Lower Columbia Estuary.

We are seeking a few volunteers to help out! Please bring a shovel or a rake if you plan to volunteer to help spread bark chips. We are seeking 2-3 volunteers with a side-by-side or equipment to help stage bark dust chips on the trails on May 4th pre-event. Please get in touch with natasha@nextrenewables.com to volunteer.  You must be an approved volunteer in order to participate.  

HPE Scholastic Book Fair

The book fair will take place May 8-12 during students’ scheduled library classes.  Click here to view more information about the book fair including how to set up an e-wallet for your student (a safe, cash-free way for your child to shop the fair) and to preview the books that will be available.  Online ordering will be available May 8-21.  Finally, if you would like to donate funds to purchase books for HPE students, PreK-6, click here. 

Kindergarten Registration, 2022-2023

Kindergarten Registration Night has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 10 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Hudson Park kindergarten classrooms and library. Please bring your incoming kindergarten student to the event.  To enroll in kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year, students must be 5 on or before September 1, 2023.  Any kindergarten age-eligible student currently enrolled in Rainier Preschool or Head Start has been automatically enrolled for kindergarten for next school year.  Some additional information may be needed for these students.  Any kindergarten age-eligible student new to Rainier School District will need to register online in order to enroll in kindergarten.  Online registration for next year opens May 1, 2023.  

HPE Drug-Free Pep Rally for Fifth and Sixth Grade Students

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a Drug-Free Pep Rally for students in fifth and sixth grades in partnership with the Columbia County Public Health Department and the Opioid Response Network on Wednesday, May 24.  The purpose of the Drug-Free Pep Rally is to bring community, school and student leaders to help our students to make healthy choices about substance use.  Hudson Park Elementary has an “opt-out” policy whereby the parent/guardian must sign a permission form to withdraw their student from participating in this event. Click here for more information. Print copies of the opt out letter will be sent home with students this week.

Tutoring

For those students participating in tutoring, the last week of tutoring for this school year will be the week of May 22.  More specifically, the last day of tutoring for students participating in tutoring on Mondays only will be Monday, 5/22.  The last day of tutoring for students participating in tutoring on Mondays & Wednesdays will be Wednesday, 5/24.  The last day of tutoring for students participating in tutoring on Tuesdays & Thursdays will be Thursday, 5/25.  We are grateful for the staff willing to work extra hours in order to provide elementary students with additional individualized learning opportunities this year.   

School Closure Make-Up Days

Friday, May 26 is a non-school day, but will be scheduled as a make-up day if any school

closures are necessary between now and then.  If you would like to review the 2022-2023 calendar, please click here.  Additionally, click here to view the 2023-2024 district calendar. 

Lost and Found

Our lost and found rack right inside the main entrance is overflowing!  Please stop by the Hudson Park main office window to request to peruse the rack, or remind your student to stop by the rack to retrieve lost items.  We will package up all items remaining on the rack at the end of the school year and donate them.

Briarcliff Pool

The yearly pool fee during the 2022-2023 school year is $10.00 for one student or $25.00 per family for those students participating in swim lessons.  If you haven’t already done so, please send your payment to the Hudson Park Elementary office.  Swim lessons for second semester (January 31-June 15) include students in Rainier Preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade, and multi-age classes.  Hudson Park swim lessons are part of the PE program for grades K-6.  Parents/guardians may request for their student to opt out of swim lessons for medical or religious purposes and those requests must be made in writing and submitted to Mrs. Keplinger in order to be considered.

Click here for the May 2023 Briarcliff Pool schedule. 

Cyberbullying

It is important to monitor your child’s electronic devices and social media presence.  There have been recent incidents of cyberbullying outside of school involving Hudson Park students that have filtered into the school setting, causing a disruption to learning.  A helpful resource with valuable information about cyberbullying can be found by clicking here. Whether bullying takes place face-to-face, or online, it will not be tolerated at Hudson Park Elementary.

Kindercamp

We will be hosting a Kindercamp August 7-10 and 14-17 for students transitioning to kindergarten in the fall of 2023.  Only students enrolled in kindergarten at Hudson Park Elementary for the 2023-2024 school year will be eligible to register for Kindercamp.  Click here for more information and to register your student for Kindercamp.

Summer School

Plans are in process for summer school in August 2023 for students in grades 1-12.  More information to come.

Reading Incentives & Interventions

May is the final month for earning an entry in the Kindles for Books Program drawing.  The name drawing assembly will be held in June. The popular Book Series Incentive Program will continue through the end of the school year.   Questions about reading support or reading incentive programs?  Email Louise Johnson, louise_johnson@rsd.k12.or.us.

English Language Learners

English Language Learners in all grades completed the annual English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA Summative) in March.  Score reports and program notification letters will be sent home prior to the last day of school.  If you have questions, please email louise_johnson@rsd.k12.or.us.

Counseling

If you feel your student needs counseling support, please contact Sara Gray to arrange for services by emailing sara_gray@rsd.k12.or.us or calling the Hudson Park Elementary office. Please be aware that due to the high need of counseling support at this time, there may be some delay in getting counseling services in place.  That being said, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. 

Volunteers

Please visit the volunteer webpage linked here to learn how to become an approved volunteer.  Keep in mind, it takes a few weeks for volunteer paperwork to be processed, so apply early if you’re planning to chaperone an upcoming field trip.

Transportation

Please call 503.556.9140 with any transportation-related questions or concerns.  Click here for bus route information, including the 2022-2023 Snow Routes.

Nutrition Services

To access the current menus, click here.  Breakfast is provided at no charge for all students.  Lunch for K-5 is $3.25 and for grades 6-12 is $3.75.  To add money to your student's lunch account, click here to access Mealtime Online.  You may also send a check or cash with your student to school and the money will be added to your student's lunch account.  

Free and reduced lunch program applications can be completed online.  Hard copies are also available at the HPE office.  Please email Nutrition Services Director, Debby Webster, with any questions: debby_webster@rsd.k12.or.us

Student Services

If you have questions about student services, please feel free to reach out to Heidi Schafer, Student Services Director, 503.556.9121, or email heidi_schafer@rsd.k12.or.us.